Book folder

ABSTRACT

An improved shipping container for a book or other generally rectangular object includes a tubular body having an end closure at each end, and an end cushioning structure inwardly of each end closure. The end cushioning structure protects opposite ends of the book from damage during shipment. The folder is made of one piece of corrugated paperboard and is readily formed about the book or like object on book folding equipment of a type well known in the art.

United States Patent [191 Sieffert BOOK FOLDER [75] Inventor: William G. Sieffert, Joliet, Ill.

[73] Assignee: lloerner Waldorf-Corporation,

Ramsey, Minn.

221 Filed: Oct. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 409,185

[52] US. Cl 229/40, 206/424, 206/521 [51] Int. Cl B65d 5/02 [58] Field of Search 229/40; 206/424, 521

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,386,642 6/1968 Young 229/40 3,399,821 9/1968 Ringholz.... 229/40 3,465,946 9/1969 Johnson 229/40 3,485,435 12/1969 Greene et a1. 229/40 3,664,573 5/1972 Partain et al. 229/40 71' ,l "j 25 a 5925 l '[111 3,861,580 [4 1 Jan. 21, 1975 3,666,168 5/1972 vPartain et a]. 229/40 3,768,721 10/1973 Carpenter et al 229/40 3,790,065 2/l974 3,792,811 2/1974 Carpenter et al 229/40 Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert M. Dunning; Jerry F. Best [57 ABSTRACT An improved shipping'container fora book or other generally rectangular object includes a tubular body having an end closure at each end, and an end cushioning structure inwardly of each-end closure. The end cushioning structure protects opposite ends of the book from damage during shipment. The folder is made of one piece of corrugated paperboard and is readily formed about the book or like object onbook folding equipment of a type well known in the art.

5 Claims,'6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJANYZI I 1 3,861,580

SHEET 2 OF 2 v l lk ) r fi -40' 4 41' 27L '6 4 BOOK FOLDER This invention relates to an improvement in book folder and deals particularly with a carton of rectangular form having a cushioning structure within each end thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION a folder having hollow triangular cells formed by flaps 28 and 36 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 designed to engage opposite sides of a book to cushion these sides from the outer folder. U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,821 issued Sept. 3, 1968 to Ringholz provides a series of oppositely inclined triangular areas, providing panels such as 25 and 27 engaging the book to hold it in spaced relation to the folder ends.

US. Pat. No. 3,485,435 shows a construction in which the end walls of the folder are formed by connected inwardly inclined panels such as 18, the panels being connected so as to form a connecting line which engages opposite edges of the book intermediate its surfaces thereof so as to hold the book spaced from the ends of the main panels 26 and 28 US. Pat. Nos. 3,664,573 and 3,666,168 show cartons having cushioning areas defined by a series of hollow triangular .portions designed to space the contained book fromopposed edges of the folder. Each of these previous patents, like all structures, have their advantages and disadvantages, but many of such folders engage the book along lines of engagement rather than flat areas of engagement, and others of the previous consructions employ considerably more paperboard than is absolutely necessary to form the necessary pro tection. Others of the patents which have been described result in" folders having a pair of irregularly shaped ends or sides which do not form continuous protection for the book or other article contained. Still others of the previous structures are difficult to form on apparatus which is commercially available, making it necessary todesign and produce special machinery for automatically closing such cartons when desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvement in book folder which comprises arectangular container having hingedly connected main panels connected by side panels in tubular relation. The ends of the container are closed by end panels hingedly connected to the ends of one main panel and secured by glue flaps to the other main panel so that the contained book or other object B is completely then closed. A cushioning structure is hingedly secured to the remaining main panel and provides a cushioning cell between each end of the container and the book which is'contained.

A feature of the present invention resides in a cushioning structure of a type described which includes a cushioning panel at each end of the folder which extends inwardly at an acute angle to the main panel from which it is hinged, and which supports a rectangular bearing flap which may be folded into right angular relation to the main panels and which forms a flat surface intermediate the sides of the folder which is designed to engage anend of the book B to hold it cushioned from the end of the folder.

The present invention resides in a folder having an outer enclosure which is similar to that shown in other patents. In other words, it comprises a pair of opposed main panels which are connected by intermediate side panels, one of which is provided with a glue flap which may be secured to the outer surface of one of the main panels to hold the folder in tubular relation. An end panel is connected to each end of one of the main panels and includes a glue flap foldably connected thereto and secured in face contact with the other main panel to close the ends of the outer con-tainer. When the folder is made of corrugated paperboard, the various glue. flaps are provided with mitered corners so as not to overlap.

A cushioning structure is provided interiorly of each end closure panel. This cushioning structure includes a rectangular cushioning panel hinged to the center portion of the end of the other main panel, and'triangular end structures extending between the cushioning flap and the side walls of the outer carton. A bearing flap which is hingedly connected to the cushioning panel folds across the folder to terminate in edge abutting re lation to the main panel to which the cushioning flange is secured. The triangular portions on each side of the cushioning panel include isosceles triangular portions having their bases extending along extensions of'the side edges of said other main panel and having their apexes extending to corners of the rectangular cushioning panel; second isosceles triangular areas having their bases forming the sides of said rectangular cushioning panel and having their apexes at the'extended edges of said other main panel, right triangular portions having their hypotenuse sides connected to the second isosceles triangular areas, and rectangular reinforcing flaps hingedly connected to a right angular side of each right triangular portion and extending to the surface of said other main panel. Thus the bearing flaps which are hinged to the cushioning panel form walls which engage the ends of the book, and the triangular portions on each side of the rectangularv cushioning panel form triangular reinforcements which form a solid support for the bearing flanges which engage the ends of the book.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following'specification and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the book folder in closed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective veiw of the cushioning struc- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The book folder is indicated in general by the letter A. The blank shown in FIG. 6 includes a first main panel 10, a first side wall panel 11, a second main panel 12, a second side panel 13, and a glue flap 14 which are hingedly connected together along parallel fold line l5, l6, l7, and 19. End panels 20 are foldably connected to the ends of the second main panel 12 along parallel fold lines 21 which intersect the previously described fold lines at right angles. Glue flaps 22 are foldably connected to the end flaps 20 along fold lines 23 which are parallel to the fold lines 20. The panels thus formed may produce a tubular structure in the completed form of the folder with the end panels 20 closing the ends of the tubular structure.

The cushioning structuresare foldably connected to the first main wall panel 10. As the cushioning structures are both identical, the portions thereof will be described by similar numerals. Rectangular cushioning panels 24 are connected to the panel along first cushioning panel fold lines 25 which are substantially alined with the fold lines 2 1'previously described. Bearing flaps 26 are connected to the cushioning flaps 24 along second cushioning flap fold lines 27. The cushioning flaps 24 extend only a portion of the width of the main panels 10 to provide a triangular structure on each side of the cushioning panel 24 at each end of the carton. The portion of the first main panel 10 extending beyond the cushioning panel fold line 25 is defined by an edge extension 29 forming a continuation of the main panel edge 30 and an edge extension 31 which forms a continuation of the fold line 25.

First trapezoidal triangular areas 32 are provided having their bases extending along the main panel edge 30 and the main panel edge extension 31. These triangular areas are defined by bases extending along the edges 29 and 31, and by equal length triangle sides 34 and 35 which converge together to the ends of the fold line 25. Parallel fold lines 36 form the sides of the cushioning panel 24, and form the bases of second isosceles triangular portions 37 which are defined by the fold lines 36, and equal length sides 35 and 39 which have their apexes at the edges 29 and 31 which extend from the panel toward 30 and fold-line 15. Fold line extensions 40 of the fold line 37 define reinforcing flaps 41 between the fold line extensions 40 and the ends of the blank. Right triangular reinforcing flap areas 42- are provided between the second isosceles triangular portions 37 and the fold line extensions 40, the base portion of these triangular areas 42 extending along the edge extensions 29 and 31, the hypotenuse sides being I formed by the fold lines 39, and the right angular sides being formed by the fold lines 40. This completes the folding of the end sections of the main panel 30, forming the cushioning structure at the ends of the folder.

In folding the cushioning structure, the bearing flaps 26 and adjoining reinforcing flaps 41 are folded along the fold line 27 and its extension 40. The carton is then folded along the fold line 25 until the cushioning panels 24 are at an acute angle to the main panel 10. This folding action continues until the free edges of the bearing flap 26 and the reinforcing flaps 41 abut against the inner surface of the panel 10. During this folding operation, the isosceles triangular portions 32 incline toan obtuse angular relation to the bottom panel 10, the

right triangular portions 42 form into right angular relation to the reinforcing flaps 41 and into parallel relation to the panel 10, and the isosceles triangular portions 37 incline into angular relation to the cushioning panels 24 to which they are hinged. As a result, the triangular areas 32, 42 and the right angular flaps 41 form triangular struts which form a firm support for the bearing flap 26 at each end of the folder. When folded in the manner described, the apexes of the isosceles triangular portions 37 and the base portion of the isosceles triangular portions 32 extend into engagement with the inner surfaces of the end panels 20, and the fold lines 35 connecting the isosceles triangular portions 32 and 37 lie in the same vertical plane as the fold lines 25 as indicated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

In forming the assembled cartons A, the book B is placed upon the panel 10, and the cushioning structures are formed by flexing the bearing flap 26 and reinforcing flaps 41 into right angular relation to the remainder of the blank, the blank being folded along the fold lines 27 and alined fold lines 40. The cushioning structure is then folded along the fold lines 25, the bearing flanges 26 engaging the ends of the book and the triangular structures folding into the form illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

The folder is then completed by wrapping the remaining panels about the book, the side panel 11 extending upwardly from the edge of the panel 10, the panel 12 folding over the top of the book, the side panel 13 overlying the opposite side of the book, and the glue flap 14 underlying the edge of the panel 10. The reinforcing structure is then enclosed by folding the end walls 20 downwardly, and folding the glue flaps 22 under the panel 10 to complete the folding operatlon.

In accordance with the Patent Statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in BOOK FOLDER; and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A blank for forming a book folder including a first main panel, a first side panel, a second main panel, a second side panel, and a side glue flap connected in series along parallel fold lines, an end panel secured to each end of said second main panel along end fold lines which are at right angles to said parallel fold lines, end glue flaps secured to said end panels along fold lines extending at right angles to said parallel fold lines, said first and second main panels and said first and second side panels being adapted to form a tubular body with said side glue flap adapted to be secured to said first main panel to hold said tubular body in tubular relation, said end panels being adapted to close the ends of said tubular body, and said end glue flaps being adapted to be secured to said first main panel and a cushioning structure connected to each end of said first main panel and defined by extensions of the side edges of said first main panel, each cushioning structure including:

a rectangular cushioning panel defined by parallel first and second cushioning panel fold lines spaced apart a distance greater than the width of said side panels, and connecting fold lines parallel to said parallel fold lines and equally spaced from said first main panel edge extensions, first isosceles triangular areas having their base sides extending along said first main panel extensions and their equal length sides converging from said base to apexes at an end of said first cushioning panel fold line, second isosceles area having their bases extending along said connecting fold lines and having their equal lengths sides converging from the ends of said connecting fold lines to apexes at said extensions of said edges of said first main panel, said second cushioning panel fold line having extensions extending to the extending edges of said first main panel and defining right triangular areas having their bases extending along said edge extensions of said first main panel and their hypotenuse sides hingedly connected to an equal length side of said second isosceles triangular area, rectangular bearing flaps hinged to said cushioning panel along said second cushioning panel fold lines and adapted to fold into edge abutting relation to said first main panel and rectangular reinforcing flaps hinged to the sides of said bearing flap and to the right triangular edges of, said right triangular areas and adapted to fold into edge abutting relation to said first main panel. 2. The structure of claim 1 and in which said reinforcing flaps are adapted to fold into right angular relation to said second main panel.

3. A cushioned end book folder containing a book and the like the folder including:

a pair of parallel main panels and a pair of parallel side panels secured in tubular relation, one of said main panels being rectangular and having end panels connected to the ends thereof, and glue flaps connected to said end panels and secured to the other main panel to close the folder, a cushioning structure inwardly of each of said end panels, each cushioning structure including:

a rectangular cushioning panel hinged to an end of the central portion of the other main panel and folded inwardly at an acute angle to the other main panel,

a rectangular bearing flap connected to said cushioning panel and having its edge engaging the inner surface of said other main panel to form a hollow right triangular cushioning area between said other main panel, said cushioning panel, and said bearing flap, hollow triangular structures between the sides of said cushioning panels and said side panels, each hollow triangular structure including:

a first isosceles triangular area having its base extending along an extension of an edge of said other main panel and its apex at a corner of said rectangular cushioning panel, said first isosceles triangular area being at an obtuse angle to said other main panel,

a second isosceles triangular area connected to the first isosceles triangular area and having its base hingedly forming an edge of said rectangular cusha rectangular reinforcing flap hinged to said bearing.

flap and to the right triangular edge of said triangular area and extending in right angular relation to said other main panel having an edge thereof engaging said other main panel.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which the bases of said first isosceles triangular areas are disconnected from said side panels.

5. The structure of claim 3 and in which said bearing flap connected to each cushioning panel is engageable with the book contained in said folder. 

1. A blank for forming a book folder including a first main panel, a first side panel, a second main panel, a second side panel, and a side glue flap connected in series along parallel fold lines, an end panel secured to each end of said second main panel along end fold lines which are at right angles to said parallel fold lines, end glue flaps secured to said end panels along fold lines extending at right angles to said parallel fold lines, said first and second main panels and said first and second side panels being adapted to form a tubular body with said side glue flap adapted to be secured to said first main panel to hold said tubular body in tubular relation, said end panels being adapted to close the ends of said tubular body, and said end glue flaps being adapted to be secured to said first main panel and a cushioning structure connected to each end of said first main panel and defined by extensions of the side edges of said first main panel, each cushioning structure including: a rectangular cushioning panel defined by parallel first and second cushioning panel fold lines spaced apart a distance greater than the width of said side panels, and connecting fold lines parallel to said parallel fold lines and equally spaced from said first main panel edge extensions, first isosceles triangular areas having their base sides extending along said first main panel extensions and their equal length sides converging from said base to apexes at an end of said first cushioning panel fold line, second isosceles area having their bases extending along said connecting fold lines and having their equal lengths sides converging from the ends of said connecting fold lines to apexes at said extensions of said edges of said first main panel, said second cushioning panel fold line having extensions extending to the extending edges of said first main panel and defining right triangular areas having their bases extending along said edge extensions of said first main panel and their hypotenuse sides hingedly connected to an equal length side of said second isosceles triangular area, rectangular bearing flaps hinged to said cushioning panel along said second cushioning panel fold lines and adapted to fold into edge abutting relation to said first main panel and rectangular reinforcing flaps hinged to the sides of said bearing flap and to the right triangular edges of said right triangular areas and adapted to fold into edge abutting relation to said first main panel.
 2. The structure of claim 1 and in which said reinforcing flaps are adapted to fold into right angular relation to said second main panel.
 3. A cushioned end book folder containing a book and the like the folder including: a pair of parallel main panels and a pair of parallel side panels secured in tubular relation, one of said main panels being rectangular and having end panels connected to the ends thereof, and glue flaps connected to said end panels and secured to the other main panel to close the folder, a cushioning structure inwardly of each of said end panels, each cushioning structure including: a rectangular cushioning panel hinged to an end of the central portion of the other main panel and folded inwardly at an acute angle to the other main panel, a rectangular bearing flap connected to said cushioning panel and having its edge engaging the inner surface of said other main panel to form a hollow right triangular cushioning area between said other main panel, said cushioning panel, and said bearing flap, hollow triangular structures between the sides of said cushioning panels and said side panels, each hollow triangular structure including: a first isosceles triangular area having its base extending along an extension of an edge of said other main panel and its apex at a corner of said rectangular cushioning panel, said first isosceles triangular area being at an obtuse angle to said other main panel, a second isosceles triangular area connected to the first isosceles triangular area and having its base hingedly forming an edge of said rectangular cushioning panel, said second isosceles triangular area being at an acute angle to said other main panel, a right triangular area having its hypotenuse side connected to an equal length side of said second isosceles triangular area said right triangular area being in face contact with the inner surface of said one main panel, and a rectangular reinforcing flap hinged to said bearing flap and to the right triangular edge of said triangular area and extending in right angular relation to said other main panel having an edge thereof engaging said other main panel.
 4. The structure of claim 3 and in which the bases of said first isosceles triangular areas are disconnected from said side panels.
 5. The structure of claim 3 and in which said bearing flap connected to each cushioning panel is engageable with the book contained in said folder. 